James Bacon, San Diego Zoo Manager, Dies

SAN DIEGO —  James P. Bacon, general manager of the San Diego Zoo, was found dead in his apartment Friday. He was 46.

Bacon had been curator of reptiles at the zoo since 1975 and was appointed general manager in January after Terry A. Winnick resigned. It appears that Bacon died of natural causes, although a coroner’s investigation is continuing, a coroner’s deputy said.

A noted authority on reptiles and amphibians, Bacon had frequently helped local, state and federal officials identify skins of endangered reptiles that had been made into clothing or leather goods and were being sold.

Bacon was found lying on the floor of his apartment by zoo staff members who became concerned after he failed to show up for work, said Jeff Jouett, a spokesman for the zoo.

Jouett said that neighbors reported seeing Bacon jogging in Balboa Park earlier Friday morning.

A Pennsylvania native, Bacon was a research associate to the San Diego Society of Natural History, a field associate to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and a professor of zoology at San Diego State University. He had a master’s degree in fisheries and wildlife from Michigan State University and a doctorate in biology from the University of Chicago.

Before his death, Bacon was responsible for formulating long-range plans and goals for the zoo, said Douglas Myers, the zoo’s executive director.

The flag at the zoo was flown at half staff Saturday.